Oct 26 - Wander the Uintas

Today is "wander" day -- specifically, wander the Uintas (a mountain range to the east). I've been there once in June when the snow was just starting to melt and had all intentions of exploring there this summer (July/Aug) but lots of things got in the way. So today (before there's too much snow up there) is the day. Don't think I'll be able to hike (I'm thinking there's snow because I've seen the snow from far away) but I'm still ready for whatever adventure may come my way.

The day is beautiful -- sunny and in the mid-40s. I take 80 to 40 (towards Heber -- was there last Friday) but swing east on 248 towards Kamas. I think in June, I took 80 to a hwy that led directly south to Kamas -- thru Rockport Reservoir. The beautiful country with the old barns, etc -- the area (2000 acres) burnt by the massive Rockport Fire in Aug. Not sure if those old farm buildings were destroyed and I have no intention of finding out today. (On a good note, on Friday, massive helicopter reseeding efforts dumped 36k pounds of seed on the area, hoping Spring will bring the area back to life.)

248 wasn't bad as it cuts across to Kamas, it goes up and has a great view of the Jordanelle Reservoir. A few scattered ranch homes in here but there are subdivisions along the hwy going up.

I get to Kamas, make a left and then a quick right and I'm off on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (Hwy 150). Lots of ranch land in there and some small towns. In one of the first fields I pass there are 4 animals -- too small to be cows or horse; they're in fact mule deer (doe) just grazing in a open field. (It must not be doe hunting season.)

There are wet areas south of the hwy (its looks like it would be great moose habitat) and the wetlands are in their autumn colors. My 1st wander is at Beaver Creek. Its a small picnic area along the creek. The ground is still frosty (frosty leaves as well). There is a footbridge to get over the creek and many trails leading to picnic tables. Many yellow aspen trees in here and tree stumps with the tell-tale signs that a beaver cut them down (pointy stumps with chew marks)- guess why its called Beaver Creek.

Next stop is North Fork. I was here in June and naturally the creek was much higher than it is now. I get down to the creek and realize that sometimes you do have to clear out the camera's memory cards (even if they are 8Gig cards). Oops! Fortunately for me, I have a few spare in the car.

Quick stop at the Slate Gorge overlook -- I actually drove by it and noticed snow in the gorge so circled back. It looked pretty but still very dark (no sun) in the gorge.

Onward to Provo Falls. This is a "step" waterfall. Naturally, the water is low. But there's snow on the rocks! Looks very pretty.

I head down to the 2nd waterfall (much smaller than the other) on the trail. Then head off walking down the rocks to basically the base of the fall. There's lots of bright green algae on the wall. And I love the fact that I can see the "overflow" point -- just when the water pool is full enough to send the excess over the edge.

There's a small creek flowing into Provo Creek near the 2nd fall and its a frozen waterfall.

Onwards --- to Lily Lake (and another lake right across the street that I don't remember). Snow around Lily Lake. Part of it is frozen. Only one other car in the parking lot and they're getting ready to go fishing. They are pumping up a floatation device which they sit in --- their legs daggling in the water. I talk to the lady --- just fishing for whatever they can catch before they get too cold. It's getting muddy now as the frozen mud thaws.

I cross the hwy to the other lake --- this one has more snow and I'll be the first to walk in it. The snow is solid/frozen in spots and its great until I fall thru (about 4-6 inches). Very thin sheet of ice on the lake.

I cross back over the hwy at the overflow point (where one lake flows into the other). Pretty neat!

Next stop is Bald Mt Pass (10,759) pull-out. Very nice view of the Uintas Valley and Bald Mt to the right (my next stop).

In June I could barely get 25 yrds on the road to the Bald Mt trailhead. Today I get to a very snowy and frozen parking. I hesitated before getting on the snowy road but if a Prius can make it, I certainly can. Its pretty much all snowy here. There are about 7 cars in the lot. I climb to the ridge hoping to look down onto a lake but no such luck -- just trees and snow. And a nice view of Hayden Peak. From this view (southeast facing), Bald Mt has barely any snow. I'm pretty sure that would not be the case when I get down to Mirror Lake.

Next stop - Hayden Peak overlook. Now this overlook has the lake! (Mirror Lake). I head down thru the snow to another little overlook called Old Glory Overlook. Same mountains just less trees to peek thru.

I should note that almost all the roads to the campgrounds are now closed. But that doesn't mean one can't just walk around the gate and to the lake. Just like I did for Moosehorn Lake (at least I think that was its name). The lake had an awesome view of Bald Mt and the moon. There was snow around the lake -- again solid in spots but others a soft 4-6 inches. The lake seemed to be in a bowl as I could see where it was about ready to spill over the edges. Walked along maybe 100yrds of snowy shoreline. I could hear other people out somewhere -- but could never find them. The ice in one spot had a fishbone like pattern.

And the wetland grasses, water and ice looked pretty neat.

Then a downhill drive to Mirror Lake. This was a little dicey in one spot where the downhill side of the road was packed snow/ice so I had one set of tires on the dry uphill side and the other on the snow/ice to prevent from sliding down.

There are a handful of cars in the parking lot but pretty quiet. This is definitely the snowy side of Bald Mt. Mirror Lake was icy on this part of the lake. The trail around it was a mix of snow, ice, muddy and clear all depending where I was and how much sun was hitting the trail. The lake had great views of Hayden Peak as well. (Actually, I start on the side of the lake next to Bald Mt w/ views of Hayden Peak then I come around to the Hayden Peak side w/ views of Bald Mt.)

Again, strange shapes in the ice.

At one point I passed a log in the water and something caught my eye (and actually made me jump -- just a bit). It was a whole school of trout that scattered in the water - large trout just hanging around the icy edges.

Saw the same in other spots on the trail.

Finally as I start to round the corner of the lake, the lake is clear of ice and the nice mountain reflections appear.

Now on the other side, I get to look at Bald Mt again. The moon is just above it.

When I get back to the other corner (coming around to the parking area), the ice returns. I've skipped plenty of rocks on Lake Michigan (in Indiana) during my lifetime but I've never seen people slide chumps of ice along an icy lake until today. What a very cool sound it makes as the chunk slides across (like a whirling noise).

I stop for lunch along a creek that flows into or out of Mirror Lake. There's trout in here too but much smaller ones. There's also a pretty reflection in this stream. (Yet another memory card full - 1G; my last one is 1/2G hope I don't run out.)

In the parking lot I see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell (bfly) flying around --- they do over-winter in their adult form. So not surprising to see them -- its in the upper 40s.

Now its time to see what's after Mirror Lake because I didn't go past it last time.

I make quick stops at Pass Lake and Bfly Lake (yea!!) and then the Highline Trail. This parking lot was snow covered and no one was around so I went in only a little way and walked down to the completely frozen lake and mountain views.

Drove a bit further down the hwy but the road started downhill toward WY. So I decided to turn around and head back the way I came.

Perfect day --- and probably the last chance for me to do it as I'm not sure how much of this drive gets closed when the "real" snow hits.

More photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whalerider33/sets/72157637028165634/